Farfus to race with Rubens Barrichello

This weekend Augusto Farfus will have some new motor racing experiences in a series and on a track that are both new to him. It may not be a surprise that the Brazilian, who is one of the world’s best touring car drivers, hasn’t competed in the Brazilian Stock Car Championship before. However, the fact he has never competed at the iconic Interlagos track, known as the

Autódromo Jose Carlos Pacé in Sao Paulo must come as a surprise to his legions of fans worldwide.

 

For the race, which is the first round of the 2014 season, the driver from Curitiba will be sharing one of the cars with Brazilian, Rubens Barichello, a winner of 11 Formula One Grands Prix. The series has taken a departure from what is normal, and for the first time ever will have two competitors sharing driving duties. On Friday Augusto and Rubens, who raced in the series last year, will compete in free practice, before qualifying on Saturday and racing on Sunday.

 

Looking forward to this event Augusto said: “I am really excited about being given this opportunity. Driving with Rubens will be something very special as he is a legend in Brazil. When I was asked if I wanted to do it I didn’t have to think twice. This is the biggest series in Brazil and so it will be great for me to be racing in front of so many local fans.”

 

For qualifying both drivers will set times and then the average of both will be the time that decides their grid position. Then on Sunday there will be a 50 minute race, with the regular drivers being in for the start and the international guest drivers in for the chequered flag, with them both spending the same amount of time in the car.

 

Augusto has been a BMW works driver since 2007, but many years before that he had left his homeland to race in Europe. “I know a lot about the Interlagos track and have seen many Grands Prix there on tv. However, I have never raced on the track. I left Brazil when I was quite young and started my single-seater racing career in Europe, so never had the chance to race there. I am really looking forward to racing there and hope we can have a good result,” he added.